Musical instrument



Dec. 20, 1927. A 1,653,570

R. H. HowE:

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed MaI'Oh 29, 1926 Patented Dec. 20, 1927.

UNITED STATES RUDOLF H. HOWE, lO1?" WOODWARD, ALABAMA.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Application filed March 29, 1926.

My invention relate/sto a new and improved type ot musical instrument which contemplates the use of a drum as a resonating body having associated therewith a number vot strings which are adapted to be played by hammers, picked.. or7 it desired, bowed.

My invention contemplates stretching the strings across the drum and Supporting them by one or more bridgesresting on the drum head, the preferable arrangement of bridges providing one bridge 'for each end of the strings, but, where desired, intermediate bridges may be used to produce a stringing somewhat similar to the dulcimer or cymbalon. This arrangement makes possible the product-ion of an ii'rstrument having a drum quality ot tone and yet having a suttlciently larger scale compass to permit the playing of melodies thereon and it contemplates utilizing various types otl drums with varying numbers ot strings, so that instruments with only a 'few notes ot' detinite pitch can be provided for special purposes or instruments with a larger number ot strings and a larger range of scale can be provided and such instruments may be adapted to be played in any of the manners above retererd to.

My invention contemplates the provision of strings singly or in sets and the tuning ot the strings singly or in unison.

My invention further contemplates the cross brac-ing of the drum head with a strut to resist the tension of the strings.

My invention further comprises the novel details ot construction and arrangements orp parts, which in their preferred embodiment only are illustrated in the accompanying lrawings; in which Fig. l is a plan view; and

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2 2 ot Fig. l, showing a base drum equipped with a typical arrangement of strings to convert it into a musical instrument according to my present invention.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

I have illustrated my invention in con,- nection with a base drum having a shell l, a bottom drum head 2 and a` top drum head 3, the drum shell being provided with leg supports 1i and with marginal drum head tension elements 5, all in accordance with standard practice. It is to be understood, however, that this type of drum is merely Serial No. 98,097.

illustrative of any drum since my invention is capable ot adaptation to and use with any drum type ot' musical instrument. In order to convert the drum into the new and improved type ot instrument contemplated in my invention, l mount on diametrically opposite sides of the drum shell string anchor blocks 6 and 7 which may be attached to the shell in any suitable manner and on the block 6 I mount a string anchor 7 to which a series ot strings 8, 8a, 8b, and 8 are at ached. At their other ends these strings are connected to tuning posts 9 adjustable to be turned by keys l() mounted in the anchor block 7. It will be understood that any well known and available means for mounting` and tuning the strings may be substituted for that shown7 which is merely illustrative of one suitable arrangement.

In order to withstand the strain on the drum shell due to the action of the strings, I brace the shell with a strut 11 running parallel with and midway of the strings and suitably connected to the shell at points preferably opposite the center of the anc-hor blocks.

I provide .tor all of the strings and bridges l2 in order that they may be supported on the drinn head as a resonating body. The arrangement ot the strings, their grouping and the number shown is susceptible ot wide variation. I have shown the strings 8 free oit intermediate bridges; the strings 8a having one intermediate bridge 13; the strings 8b having two intermediate bridges 14; and the strings 8C having three intermediate bridges 15. My arrangement thus contemplates the use of one string or a set of strings for each note.

Having constructed the instrument in the manner described and tuned the strings. it may be played by striking the strings with a hammer7 by picking, or by bowing them according to the quantity ot tone desired to be produced, and in each case a new and distinct musical tone will result from the employment of the drum as a resonating body for the strings.

Though I have described with great particularity the details ot the embodiment of the invention herein shown, it is not to be construed that I am limited thereto, as changes in arrangement and substitution of equivalents may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Haring thus described .my invention, what I Claim as new and desire to secure by Lotters Patent, is

1. A new type of musical instrument, oomprising a drum havingl a drum head, a .f-:tring mounted under tension across the drum head, and bridge means on the drum head supporting said string.

2. The combination with ay drum havinga drum head, of a plurality ot strings. means to mount said strings across the drum head, and bridges supporting said strings on the drum head as a resonating` body.

3. A musical instrument according to claim 2, in which, the bridges are arranged at each end of the strings.

4e. A musical instrument according to claim 2, in which the bridges are arranged at each end of all of the strings and at intorinediate point.Q under one or more ot tho strings.

5. The Combination with a drum having a drum head and a drinn shell, ot diametrically opposite string,` anchors on the shell, a plurality ot strings, means to mount said strings on said anchors, and bridges sup- 1porting said strings on the drum head.

G. The Combination With a drum havingr a drum head and a drum shell, ol diametrioally opposite string anchors on the shell, a plurality ot strings, means to mount said strings.` on said anchors, bridges supporting the strings on the drum head, and a Cross brace ttor the drum shell interposed. to Withstand the strain ot the strings.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

RUDOLF ll. HOVE. 

